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insecure

 - 6 dictionary results

in⋅se⋅cure

  [in-si-kyoor]
Use insecure in a Sentence
–adjective
1. subject to fears, doubts, etc.; not self-confident or assured: an insecure person.
2. not confident or certain; uneasy; anxious: He was insecure about the examination.
3. not secure; exposed or liable to risk, loss, or danger: an insecure stock portfolio.
4. not firmly or reliably placed or fastened: an insecure ladder.
Origin:
1640–50; < ML insēcūrus. See in- 3 , secure

Related forms:
in⋅se⋅cure⋅ly, adverb
in⋅se⋅cure⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
3. risky. See uncertain.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To insecure
in·se·cure   (ĭn'sĭ-kyŏŏr')   
adj.  

  1. Not sure or certain; doubtful: unemployed and facing an insecure future.

  2. Inadequately guarded or protected; unsafe: A shortage of military police made the air base insecure.

  3. Not firm or fixed; unsteady: an insecure foothold.

    1. Lacking stability; troubled: an insecure relationship.

    2. Lacking self-confidence; plagued by anxiety: had always felt insecure at parties.

in'se·cure'ly adv., in'se·cure'ness n., in'se·cu'ri·ty (-kyŏŏr'ĭ-tē) n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

insecure 
1649, "unsafe," from M.L. insecurus, from in- "not" + L. securus (see secure). Psychological sense dates from 1935; insecurity in this sense dates from 1917.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: in·se·cure
Function: adjective
: having a good faith belief that the prospect of receiving payment or performance from a party with whom one has contracted is impaired —in·se·cu·ri·ty noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: in·se·cure
Pronunciation: "in(t)-si-'kyu(&)r
Function: adjective
: characterized by or causing emotional insecurity insecure childhood>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

insecure in·se·cure (ĭn'sĭ-ky&oobreve;r')
adj.

  1. Lacking emotional stability; not well-adjusted.

  2. Lacking self-confidence; plagued by anxiety.

in'se·cu'ri·ty (-ky&oobreve;r'ĭ-tē) n.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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